“Tragic Toll: Over 80 Lives Lost in Northeast Colombia Amidst Failed Peace Negotiations”

BOGOTÁ, Colombia — Over 80 individuals lost their lives in the nation’s northeast during the weekend after the government’s unsuccessful attempts to initiate peace negotiations with the National Liberation Army, stated a Colombian official.

Another twenty individuals suffered injuries amidst the violence that has compelled thousands to escape as Colombia’s military raced to assist people on Sunday, according to William Villamizar, governor of North Santander, where a significant number of the deaths occurred.

The casualties include community leader Carmelo Guerrero along with seven individuals who attempted to sign a peace accord, based on a report released late Saturday by a government ombudsman agency.

Authorities stated that the assaults occurred across multiple towns within the Catatumbo region bordering Venezuela, with at least three individuals involved in peace negotiations being abducted.

Thousands are fleeing the vicinity, with some taking refuge in the lush nearby mountains or seeking assistance at governmental shelters.

“We found ourselves caught in the crossfire,” expressed Juan Gutiérrez, who escaped with his family to a temporary refuge in Tibú after being compelled to abandon their animals and possessions. “We had no opportunity to collect our belongings. … I hope the government doesn’t forget us. … We feel powerless here.”

Colombia’s military saved dozens on Sunday, including a family and their pet dog, whose owner pressed a pack of cold water against the dog’s chest to keep it cool as they evacuated by helicopter.

Defense Minister Iván Velásquez visited the northeastern town of Cúcuta on Sunday, where he conducted several security briefings and urged armed factions to disarm.

“The priority is to protect lives and ensure the security of communities,” he stated. “We have stationed our troops throughout the entire area.”

Authorities also planned to dispatch 10 tons of food and hygiene essentials for around 5,000 individuals in the communities of Ocaña and Tibú, most of whom have escaped the violence.

“Catatumbo is in need of assistance,” Villamizar remarked in a public announcement on Saturday. “Children, young individuals, families are arriving with nothing, traveling by trucks, dump trucks, motorbikes, or on foot, to avoid becoming victims of this conflict.”

This assault follows Colombia’s decision to suspend peace discussions with the National Liberation Army, or ELN, on Friday, marking the second such occurrence within less than a year.

Colombia’s administration has insisted that the ELN halt all attacks and permit authorities to enter the area and supply humanitarian assistance.

“Displacement is devastating us here in the region,” said José Trinidad, a municipal official from the town of Convención in North Santander region. “We are worried the crisis will escalate.”

Trinidad urged insurgent groups to convene and negotiate a new arrangement so “we civilians do not face the repercussions of what we are enduring at this moment.”

The ELN has been engaged in clashes in Catatumbo with former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a guerrilla organization that disbanded after agreeing to a peace agreement in 2016 with the Colombian government. The two factions are at odds over control of a crucial border area that is known for coca leaf cultivation.

In a declaration made on Saturday, the ELN indicated that it had cautioned former FARC members that if they “persisted in attacking the populace … there would be no resolution other than armed confrontation.” The ELN has accused ex-FARC members of several murders in the area, including the January 15 killing of a couple and their nine-month-old baby.

Army commander Gen. Luis Emilio Cardozo Santamaría revealed on Saturday that authorities were strengthening a humanitarian corridor between Tibú and Cúcuta to ensure safe passage for those compelled to flee their residences. He mentioned that specialized urban troops were also sent to municipal capitals “where there are dangers and significant fear.”

The ELN has sought to negotiate a peace agreement with President Gustavo Petro’s administration on five occasions, with discussions breaking down following instances of violence. The demands from the ELN include recognition as a political rebel entity, which critics have labeled as risky.